Dynamic weather selection

ABSTRACT

The different advantageous embodiments provide a system comprising a weather band selection process and a processor unit. The processor unit is configured to run the weather band selection process. The weather band selection process identifies a flight trajectory associated with an aircraft, identifies weather information for the flight trajectory, and identifies a weather band selection for the aircraft using the flight trajectory, aircraft information and the weather information.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/547,821, filed Aug. 26, 2009, status allowed now U.S. Pat. No.8,165,790.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to commonly assigned and co-pending U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/547,809 entitled “Dynamic EnvironmentalInformation Transmission”, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1. Field

The present disclosure relates generally to aircraft and in particularto a method and apparatus for providing weather information for atrajectory of an aircraft. Still more particularly, the presentdisclosure relates to a method and apparatus for dynamically selectingthree or four dimensional weather information for use in planning andupdating flight trajectories.

2. Background

Weather information is used both during the planning and execution offlight operations. Planning flight operations results in the creation offlight plans. Flight plans are used to document basic information suchas departure and arrival points, estimated time en route, variouswaypoints the aircraft must traverse en route, information pertaining tothose waypoints, such as altitude and speed, information relating tolegs of the flight between those waypoints, and aircraft predictedperformance. This type of flight plan may be used to construct a flighttrajectory including the various legs of the flight, which are connectedto the various waypoints along the route. This flight trajectory mayinclude a lateral trajectory defined in the horizontal plane and avertical trajectory defined in the vertical plane.

Weather information for the route between the departure and arrivalpoints, including information about forecasted weather for the variouswaypoints along the route, may affect a flight trajectory. For example,if incorrect weather is forecasted for a particular waypoint along theroute of the flight plan, certain predictions for the flight path maybecome inaccurate, such as speed, fuel consumption, and time en route.

Additionally, revision of a flight plan may include deleting or addingwaypoints, modifying the position of waypoints, or modifying thecharacteristics pertaining to the waypoints or legs between thewaypoints, characteristics such as speed, time, or altitude, forexample. The characteristics for various waypoints or legs betweenwaypoints may include weather bands. A weather band is a collection ofweather information for a specific geospatial point, such as a specificaltitude or a specific three or four dimensional point in space. Weatherinformation may include factors such as temperature, pressure, humidity,turbulence, wind speed, and wind direction.

Ground operation centers may identify and send weather bands to anaircraft for use in determining how weather may affect flight trajectorycalculations. The weather bands identified may be based on current orpredicted weather or flight plans, or may be default weather bandsnon-specific to a particular flight trajectory. Often, actual weathermay impact a flight trajectory where the actual weather differs from thepredicted weather used to calculate the predicted flight trajectory.Additionally, different factors en route may cause an aircrew to modifythe flight plan and the weather information from the ground operationcenter, loaded during preflight, may no longer be accurate or up-to-datefor the modified flight plan. Inaccurate or dated weather informationcan result in inefficiencies for flight operations, such as an increasein fuel consumption and emissions or delay in flight time, for example.

Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a method and apparatus thatovercomes one or more of the issues described above as well as possiblyother issues.

SUMMARY

One or more of the different advantageous embodiments provide a systemcomprising a weather band selection process and a processor unit. Theprocessor unit is configured to run the weather band selection process.The weather band selection process identifies a flight trajectoryassociated with an aircraft, identifies current aircraft state data,identifies weather information for the flight trajectory, and identifiesa weather band selection for the aircraft using the flight trajectoryand the weather information.

One or more of the different advantageous embodiments may furtherprovide a method for generating a weather band selection. In response toreceiving a request for a weather band selection for a flight plan,weather information is identified for the flight plan. A number ofweather bands is selected for the flight plan based on the weatherinformation to form a weather band selection. The weather band selectionis outputted.

One or more of the different advantageous embodiments may furtherprovide a method for selecting weather bands. A current and predictedflight trajectory is identified for a first aircraft. Weatherinformation is identified for a number of locations along the currentand predicted flight trajectory. A number of weather bands is selectedfor the first aircraft based on the current and predicted flighttrajectory and the weather information.

The features, functions, and advantages can be achieved independently invarious embodiments of the present disclosure or may be combined in yetother embodiments in which further details can be seen with reference tothe following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the advantageousembodiments are set forth in the appended claims. The advantageousembodiments, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, furtherobjectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by referenceto the following detailed description of an advantageous embodiment ofthe present disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of a network of data processingsystems in which the advantageous embodiments of the present inventionmay be implemented;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a data processing system in accordance withan advantageous embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a weather selection environment inaccordance with an advantageous embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a dynamic weather band selection inaccordance with an advantageous embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a flight trajectory in accordance with anadvantageous embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a weather band in accordance with anadvantageous embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a weather band selection in accordance withan advantageous embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a weather band selection in accordance withan advantageous embodiment;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a process for dynamically selecting weatherbands in accordance with an advantageous embodiment;

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a process for generating a weather bandselection in accordance with an advantageous embodiment; and

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a process for selecting weather bands inaccordance with an advantageous embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference now to the figures and in particular with reference toFIGS. 1-2, exemplary diagrams of data processing environments areprovided in which the advantageous embodiments of the present inventionmay be implemented. It should be appreciated that FIGS. 1-2 are onlyexemplary and are not intended to assert or imply any limitation withregard to the environments in which different embodiments may beimplemented. Many modifications to the depicted environments may bemade.

With reference now to the figures, FIG. 1 depicts a pictorialrepresentation of a network of data processing systems in which theadvantageous embodiments of the present invention may be implemented.Network data processing system 100 is a network of computers in whichembodiments may be implemented. Network data processing system 100contains network 102, which is the medium used to provide communicationslinks between various devices and computers connected together withinnetwork data processing system 100. Network 102 may include connections,such as wire, wireless communication links, or fiber optic cables.

In the depicted example, server 104 and server 106 connect to network102 along with storage unit 108. In addition, clients 110, 112, and 114connect to network 102. These clients 110, 112, and 114 may be, forexample, personal computers or network computers. In the depictedexample, server 104 provides data, such as boot files, operating systemimages, and applications to clients 110, 112, and 114. Clients 110, 112,and 114 are clients to server 104 in this example. Aircraft 116 also isa client that may exchange information with clients 110, 112, and 114.Aircraft 116 also may exchange information with servers 104 and 106.Aircraft 116 may exchange data with different computers through awireless communications link while in-flight or any other type ofcommunications link while on the ground. In these examples, server 104,server 106, client 110, client 112, and client 114 may be computers.Network data processing system 100 may include additional servers,clients, and other devices not shown.

In the depicted example, network data processing system 100 is theInternet with network 102 representing a worldwide collection ofnetworks and gateways that use the Transmission ControlProtocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suite of protocols to communicatewith one another. Of course, network data processing system 100 also maybe implemented as a number of different types of networks, such as forexample, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network(WAN). FIG. 1 is intended as an example, and not as an architecturallimitation for different embodiments.

Turning now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a data processing system isdepicted in accordance with an advantageous embodiment. Data processingsystem 200 is an example of a data processing system that may be used toimplement servers and clients, such as server 104 and client 110.Further, data processing system 200 is an example of a data processingsystem that may be found in aircraft 116 in FIG. 1.

In this illustrative example, data processing system 200 includescommunications fabric 202, which provides communications betweenprocessor unit 204, memory 206, persistent storage 208, communicationsunit 210, input/output (I/O) unit 212, and display 214.

Processor unit 204 serves to execute instructions for software that maybe loaded into memory 206. Processor unit 204 may be a set of one ormore processors or may be a multi-processor core, depending on theparticular implementation. Further, processor unit 204 may beimplemented using one or more heterogeneous processor systems in which amain processor is present with secondary processors on a single chip. Asanother illustrative example, processor unit 204 may be a symmetricmulti-processor system containing multiple processors of the same type.

Memory 206 and persistent storage 208 are examples of storage devices216. A storage device is any piece of hardware that is capable ofstoring information, such as, for example without limitation, data,program code in functional form, and/or other suitable informationeither on a temporary basis and/or a permanent basis. Memory 206, inthese examples, may be, for example, a random access memory or any othersuitable volatile or non-volatile storage device. Persistent storage 208may take various forms depending on the particular implementation. Forexample, persistent storage 208 may contain one or more components ordevices. For example, persistent storage 208 may be a hard drive, aflash memory, a rewritable optical disk, a rewritable magnetic tape, orsome combination of the above. The media used by persistent storage 208also may be removable. For example, a removable hard drive may be usedfor persistent storage 208.

Communications unit 210, in these examples, provides for communicationswith other data processing systems or devices. In these examples,communications unit 210 is a network interface card. Communications unit210 may provide communications through the use of either or bothphysical and wireless communications links.

Input/output unit 212 allows for input and output of data with otherdevices that may be connected to data processing system 200. Forexample, input/output unit 212 may provide a connection for user inputthrough a keyboard, a mouse, and/or some other suitable input device.Further, input/output unit 212 may send output to a printer. Display 214provides a mechanism to display information to a user.

Instructions for the operating system, applications and/or programs maybe located in storage devices 216, which are in communication withprocessor unit 204 through communications fabric 202. In theseillustrative examples the instruction are in a functional form onpersistent storage 208. These instructions may be loaded into memory 206for execution by processor unit 204. The processes of the differentembodiments may be performed by processor unit 204 using computerimplemented instructions, which may be located in a memory, such asmemory 206.

These instructions are referred to as program code, computer usableprogram code, or computer readable program code that may be read andexecuted by a processor in processor unit 204. The program code in thedifferent embodiments may be embodied on different physical or tangiblecomputer readable media, such as memory 206 or persistent storage 208.

Program code 218 is located in a functional form on computer readablemedia 220 that is selectively removable and may be loaded onto ortransferred to data processing system 200 for execution by processorunit 204. Program code 218 and computer readable media 220 form computerprogram product 222 in these examples. In one example, computer readablemedia 220 may be in a tangible form, such as, for example, an optical ormagnetic disc that is inserted or placed into a drive or other devicethat is part of persistent storage 208 for transfer onto a storagedevice, such as a hard drive that is part of persistent storage 208. Ina tangible form, computer readable media 220 also may take the form of apersistent storage, such as a hard drive, a thumb drive, or a flashmemory that is connected to data processing system 200. The tangibleform of computer readable media 220 is also referred to as computerrecordable storage media. In some instances, computer readable media 220may not be removable.

Alternatively, program code 218 may be transferred to data processingsystem 200 from computer readable media 218 through a communicationslink to communications unit 210 and/or through a connection toinput/output unit 212. The communications link and/or the connection maybe physical or wireless in the illustrative examples. The computerreadable media also may take the form of non-tangible media, such ascommunications links or wireless transmissions containing the programcode.

In some illustrative embodiments, program code 218 may be downloadedover a network to persistent storage 208 from another device or dataprocessing system for use within data processing system 200. Forinstance, program code stored in a computer readable storage medium in aserver data processing system may be downloaded over a network from theserver to data processing system 200. The data processing systemproviding program code 218 may be a server computer, a client computer,or some other device capable of storing and transmitting program code218.

The different components illustrated for data processing system 200 arenot meant to provide architectural limitations to the manner in whichdifferent embodiments may be implemented. The different illustrativeembodiments may be implemented in a data processing system includingcomponents in addition to or in place of those illustrated for dataprocessing system 200. Other components shown in FIG. 2 can be variedfrom the illustrative examples shown. The different embodiments may beimplemented using any hardware device or system capable of executingprogram code. As one example, the data processing system may includeorganic components integrated with inorganic components and/or may becomprised entirely of organic components excluding a human being. Forexample, a storage device may be comprised of an organic semiconductor.

As another example, a storage device in data processing system 200 isany hardware apparatus that may store data. Memory 206, persistentstorage 208 and computer readable media 220 are examples of storagedevices in a tangible form.

In another example, a bus system may be used to implement communicationsfabric 202 and may be comprised of one or more buses, such as a systembus or an input/output bus. Of course, the bus system may be implementedusing any suitable type of architecture that provides for a transfer ofdata between different components or devices attached to the bus system.Additionally, a communications unit may include one or more devices usedto transmit and receive data, such as a modem or a network adapter.Further, a memory may be, for example, memory 206 or a cache such asfound in an interface and memory controller hub that may be present incommunications fabric 202.

The different advantageous embodiments recognize and take into account anumber of different considerations. For example, the differentadvantageous embodiments recognize and take into account that currentlyused systems select default weather bands for an aircraft to use forflight trajectory calculations. These systems do not select dynamicweather bands. An example of a default weather band may be a selectionof weather information for three different altitudes above a staticlocation, such as an aircraft operation center for example. When defaultweather bands are selected, the same default altitudes are always chosenregardless of the surrounding circumstances. Even when default weatherbands are selected, current methods increase inefficiencies in theflight trajectory calculations if the weather is out of date, notentered into a flight management computer, or provided at the wrongtime. Additionally, current systems and methods do not consider theimpact of environmental factors or aircraft events when choosing weatherbands. Rather, current methods only consider winds at the chosen defaultaltitudes, which can cause the aircraft to calculate undesiredtop-of-climb, top-of-descent, step climbs, or deceleration andacceleration points, for example.

The different advantageous embodiments further recognize and take intoaccount that weather solutions for aircrew selected trajectory pointsmay be requested during flight. An aircrew may desire weather solutionsat waypoints along a secondary, alternative, or modified flight plan.Current systems also do not provide an opportunity to view currentobserved or forecasted weather before executing a flight planmodification for the aircrew. Rather, aircrews rely on humaninterpolation and manual entry for a flight plan modification, which maylead to data entry errors or less than optimized data entry.

The different advantageous embodiments further recognize and take intoaccount that even in the rare cases where updated weather information isavailable, neither the aircrew nor the ground crew know which altitudesare pertinent to the flight trajectory for the aircraft. This lack ofinformation increases inefficiencies in calculating changes to flighttrajectories in a flight plan. As a result, currently used methodsinvolve the selection of default altitudes regardless of the actual windeffects at different altitudes, if a selection is made at all.

The different advantageous embodiments recognize and take into accountthat it would be useful to have a method and apparatus for providingdynamic weather information. As an example, an identification of anumber of weather bands for flight trajectory is desirable. A number,when referring to items, means one or more items. For example, a numberof weather bands is one or more weather bands. Identifying a number ofweather bands that are relevant to a flight plan and/or trajectory foran aircraft may provide for more accurate and efficient planning inoperating the aircraft.

Thus, one or more of the different advantageous embodiments may providea system comprising a weather band selection process and a processorunit. The processor unit is configured to run the weather band selectionprocess. The weather band selection process identifies a flighttrajectory associated with an aircraft, identifies weather informationfor the flight trajectory, and identifies a weather band selection forthe aircraft using the flight trajectory, aircraft information and theweather information.

One or more of the different advantageous embodiments may furtherprovide a method for generating a weather band selection. In response toreceiving a request for a weather band selection for a flight plan,weather information is identified for the flight plan. A number ofweather bands is selected for the flight plan based on the weatherinformation to form a weather band selection. The weather band selectionis outputted.

One or more of the different advantageous embodiments may furtherprovide a method for selecting weather bands. A current and predictedflight trajectory is identified for a first aircraft. Weatherinformation is identified for a number of locations along the currentand predicted flight trajectory. A number of weather bands is selectedfor the first aircraft based on the current and predicted flighttrajectory and the weather information.

With reference now to FIG. 3, an illustration of a weather selectionenvironment is depicted in accordance with an advantageous embodiment.Weather selection environment 300 may be implemented in an environmentsuch as network 102 in FIG. 1.

Weather selection environment 300 includes number of other groundsystems 301, number of operation centers 302, number of aircraft 304,and weather selection system 306. Number of operation centers 302 mayinclude airline operation centers at various locations, and/or any othertype of operation centers. Number of operation centers 302 includescomputer system 303 and operation personnel 308. Computer system 303 mayinclude a number of computers. As used herein, a number refers to one ormore computers. The number of computers of computer system 303 may benetworked in an environment such as network 102 in FIG. 1. Number ofaircraft 304 may be any type of aircraft including, without limitation,jet engine aircraft, twin engine aircraft, single engine aircraft,spacecraft, and/or any other suitable type of aircraft. Aircraft 305 maybe an example of one implementation of number of aircraft 304. Aircraft305 includes computer system 309 and aircrew 310. Computer system 309may include a number of computers. The number of computers of computersystem 303 may be networked in an environment such as network 102 inFIG. 1. Number of other ground systems 301 may include, withoutlimitation, weather reporting stations, weather monitoring stations,and/or any other suitable ground system.

In one advantageous embodiment, computer system 303 may also includetrajectory calculation process 307. Trajectory calculation process 307may be used to predict a trajectory for flight plan of an aircraft, suchas aircraft 305, and send the trajectory to the aircraft. In anotheradvantageous embodiment, computer system 309 of aircraft 305 includestrajectory calculation process 311. Trajectory calculation process 311may be used to predict a trajectory of aircraft 305 using informationreceived from weather selection system 306.

In one advantageous embodiment, weather selection system 306 is locatedin a remote location from number of operation centers 302 and number ofaircraft 304. In this example weather selection system 306 may beoperated by a third party service. Weather selection system 306 usescommunications unit 312 to interact with number of operations centers302 and number of aircraft 304. Weather selection system 306 may beimplemented using one or more of data processing system 200.

Communications unit 312, in these examples, provides for communicationswith other data processing systems or devices. In these examples,communications unit 312 may be a network interface card. Communicationsunit 312 may provide communications through the use of either or bothphysical and wireless communications links. Communications unit 312 maybe integrated with processor 314 and/or may be independent from andaccessible to processor 314.

Processor 314 and/or communications unit 312 may access number ofdatabases 316. Number of databases 316 may include various databaseswith information such as, ground weather, aircraft weather, aircraftstate data, aircraft predictions, aircraft model identification, flightplans, and/or any other suitable information. Processor 314 may receiveweather information 318. In one advantageous embodiment, weatherinformation 318 may be accessed using number of databases 316. Inanother advantageous embodiment, weather information 318 may be receivedfrom number of operation centers 302, number of aircraft 304, aircraft305, and/or number of other ground systems 301. In an illustrativeexample, operation personnel 308 of number of operation centers 302 maysend updated weather information 318 to weather selection system 306. Inanother illustrative example, aircrew 310 of aircraft 305 may sendobserved weather information 318 to weather selection system 306. In yetanother illustrative example, weather information 317 from number ofother ground systems 301 may be transmitted to and/or retrieved byweather selection system 306 using computer system 315. Computer system315 may be an example of one implementation of data processing system200 in FIG. 2, for example.

Processor 314 includes weather band selection process 320. Weather bandselection process 320 uses weather information 318 to generate weatherband selection 322. Weather band selection 322 may then be sent tonumber of operation centers 302 and/or number of aircraft 304.

The illustration of weather selection environment 300 in FIG. 3 is notmeant to imply physical or architectural limitations to the manner inwhich different advantageous embodiments may be implemented. Othercomponents in addition to and/or in place of the ones illustrated may beused. Some components may be unnecessary in some advantageousembodiments. Also, the blocks are presented to illustrate somefunctional components. One or more of these blocks may be combinedand/or divided into different blocks when implemented in differentadvantageous embodiments.

For example, in one advantageous embodiment, communications unit 312 maybe integrated with processor 314 in a manner illustrated by FIG. 2. Inanother advantageous embodiment, weather selection system 306 may bedistributed across or located in at least one of a remote location,number of operation centers 302, and/or number of aircraft 304. As usedherein, the phrase “at least one of”, when used with a list of items,means that different combinations of one or more of the listed items maybe used and only one of each item in the list may be needed. Forexample, “at least one of item A, item B, and item C” may include, forexample, without limitation, item A or item A and item B. This examplealso may include item A, item B, and item C or item B and item C.

Turning now to FIG. 4, an illustration of a weather band selectionsystem is depicted in accordance with an advantageous embodiment.Dynamic weather band selection system 400 is an illustrative example ofone implementation of weather selection system 306 in FIG. 3. Dynamicweather band selection system 400 may be implemented using a dataprocessing system, such as data processing system 200 in FIG. 2.

Dynamic weather band selection system 400 includes dynamic weather bandprocessor 402. Dynamic weather band processor 402 is configured tochoose climb, cruise, and descent weather that are specific to aparticular flight trajectory. The dynamic weather bands and weatherinformation are chosen based on aircraft type, on-board equipage,current and forecasted weather, flight plan, phase of flight, aircraftevents, aircraft state data, and the computed trajectory for the flightplan. Phase of flight may include, for example, without limitation,on-ground, climbing, cruising, descending, landing, and/or any othersuitable phase of flight. Aircraft events may include, for example,without limitation, gear extension, gear retraction, flap extension,flap retraction, step climb points, step down points, and/or any othersuitable aircraft event where there are changes in aircraft pitch,speed, and/or thrust.

In these illustrative examples, dynamic weather band processor 402continually evaluates information received in order to dynamicallyselect weather for a flight plan. In other illustrative examples,dynamic weather band processor 402 may be triggered to evaluateinformation by request 408, push 407, or some other event to dynamicallyselect weather bands for a particular flight plan. Request 408 may beinitiated by either aircraft initiated weather request 404 or groundinitiated request 406. Request 408 may include a specific flight planused by dynamic weather band processor 402 to dynamically select weatherbands for the specific flight plan in response to request 408, forexample. Push 407 may be an automatic push of a flight plan to dynamicweather band processor 402 to calculate a new weather solution beforeany request is made by an aircraft.

As additional illustrative examples, the event may be, for example,without limitation, receipt of updated weather information, a change ina flight plan, or some other suitable event.

Dynamic weather band processor 402 may receive information from a numberof databases, such as ground weather information 410, aircraft weatherinformation 412, aircraft current state data 416, and aircraftpredictions 418. Ground weather information 410, aircraft weatherinformation 412, aircraft current state data 416, and aircraftpredictions 418 may be illustrative examples of one implementation ofnumber of databases 316 in FIG. 3. Dynamic weather band processor 402may also receive information directly from a number of aircraft and/oroperation centers, such as aircraft 403 and operation center 405, forexample.

Ground weather information 410 may include information collected fromweather sources, such as, for example, without limitation, NationalOceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Ground weatherinformation 410 may also include information about weather local to aparticular operation center, forecasted weather information for a numberof locations, and/or any other suitable type of ground weatherinformation. Operation center 405 may be an illustrative example of oneimplementation of an operation center that sends weather information toground weather information 410.

Aircraft weather information 412 may include weather directly reportedor derived from a number of aircraft, such as number of aircraft 304 inFIG. 3, for example. Aircraft 403 may be an illustrative example of oneimplementation of an aircraft that directly sends currently observedweather information to aircraft weather information 412. Aircraftweather information 412 may include information such as, withoutlimitation, temperature, pressure, turbulence, icing, wind speed, winddirection, wind vertical acceleration, and/or any other suitableinformation pertaining to a number of different points for a particularflight path and/or trajectory.

Dynamic weather band processor 402 may receive weather information 414from a number of different sources, including, without limitation,ground weather information 410, aircraft weather information 412,aircraft 403, operation center 405, and/or any other suitable weathersource. Dynamic weather band processor 402 is configured to evaluateweather information 414 when dynamically selecting weather bands for aparticular flight plan and/or flight trajectory, for example.

Aircraft current state data 416 includes information pertaining to anumber of aircraft, such as number of aircraft 304 in FIG. 3. Aircraftcurrent state data 416 may include a number of unique identifiers forthe number of aircraft, such as tail numbers for example. Aircraftcurrent state data 416 may identify a particular aircraft and includecurrent state information about that particular aircraft, such as,without limitation, on-ground, climbing, cruising, descending, altitude,heading, weight, center of gravity, speed, and/or any other suitablestate data.

Aircraft predictions 418 may include a number of flight plans andassociated predictions for the trajectory and weather of an aircraftbased on each of the number of trajectories associated with the numberof flight plans. Aircraft predictions 418 includes aircraft state datapredictions associated with a number of points in time based onpredicted weather, flight plan, weight of aircraft, aircraftconfiguration, and/or any other suitable information. Aircraftpredictions 418 may include number of trajectories 419. Number oftrajectories 419 are flight trajectories calculated from flight pathinformation provided from either an aircraft or ground source. Number oftrajectories 419 are calculated from the flight path information usingflight path restrictions, such as altitude, speed, and/or time, andplanned flight events, such as gear extension, for example.

Dynamic weather band processor 402 gathers information 420 forevaluation from ground weather information 410, aircraft weatherinformation 412, aircraft current state data 416, and aircraftpredictions 418. Dynamic weather band processor 402 passes the gatheredinformation 420 through data filtering 422. Data filtering 422 is afiltering process that filters information 420 before passing filteredweather information 424 to selection module 426. Data filtering 422 andselection module 426 are illustrative examples of one implementation ofweather band selection process 320 in FIG. 3. Data filtering 422 mayinclude, for example, without limitation, aircraft biases 428 andaircraft state 430.

Data filtering 422 may filter information 420 based on factors such as,without limitation, where the information is coming from, what anaircraft was doing when the information was collected, systeminconsistencies specific to particular aircraft, time of informationtransmission, aircraft speed, current aircraft altitude, currentaircraft heading, current aircraft phase of flight, current aircraftstate data, and/or any other type of factor. Aircraft biases 428 mayreduce or increase the raw information received based on the factorsconsidered. Aircraft state 430 may determine whether or not to useinformation received based on the factors considered. For example,certain types of aircraft movement may distort measurements. Aircraftstate 430 may determine whether the state of an aircraft, such asaircraft 403, at the time information was obtained would invalidate theaccuracy of the information. In one illustrative example, an aircraft ina turn, climb, or descent may affect certain parameters of informationdetections because of sensor position during those maneuvers. An exampleof a parameter that may be affected may be, without limitation, airpressure, which may in turn affect the accuracy of wind information. Inthis example, air pressure may be incorrectly measured, or sensed, dueto a reduction or increase in airflow. An inaccurate air pressuremeasurement may result in an inaccurate airspeed measurement, which maylead to inaccurate wind information, for example. Aircraft state 430analyzes the state of the aircraft at the time information was obtainedto determine the integrity of the information.

Filtered information 424 may be sent from data filtering 422 toselection module 426. Selection module 426 processes filteredinformation 424 and applies selection criteria 427 to an aircrafttrajectory received. In an illustrative example, trajectory 421 may bereceived in information 420 from number of trajectories 419 in aircraftpredictions 418. Selection module 426 uses selection criteria 427 todetermine the weather information pertinent to trajectory 421. Selectioncriteria 427 may include, without limitation, trajectory prediction 432,atmospheric pressures 434, temperatures 436, humidity 438, wind 440,events 442, and number of recipients 444. Selection module 426 usestrajectory prediction 432 to predict how trajectory 421 may change fromits flight plan based on weather information 414 received in filteredinformation 424.

Events 442 are points along an aircraft trajectory where there arechanges in aircraft pitch, speed, and/or thrust. Events 442 may include,for example, without limitation, flap extension, flap retraction,landing gear extension, landing gear retraction, deceleration and/oracceleration points to meet a time restriction, altitude restriction,and/or speed restriction, thermal anti-icing, step climb points, stepdown points, and/or any other suitable events that may affect trajectory421.

Selection module 426 dynamically selects weather bands based onselection criteria 427 associated with request 408 or push 407 to formweather bands selected 452. Weather bands selected 452 may include anumber of altitude weather bands ranked in order of importance and/orimpact to the trajectory being considered from request 408. Weatherbands selected 452 is then sent to output process 454. Dynamic weatherband processor 402 uses output process 454 to determine how and whereselected weather bands 452 should be sent. Output process 454 determinesthe recipient of weather bands selected 452 and formats weather bandsselected 452 based on the recipient. Output process 454 may identify anumber of data formats capable of being received by a particularrecipient, such as aircraft 403 or operation center 405 for example. Asused herein, a number of data formats refers to one or more dataformats.

In one illustrative example, aircraft 403 may be able to receive weatherbands selected 452 in any combination of data formats. The data formatsmay be, for example, without limitation, freetext, standard aircraftcommunications addressing and reporting system (ACARS) messaging, and/orany other suitable data format. In another illustrative example,aircraft 403 may only be able to receive weather bands selected 452 inone specific data format compatible with systems of aircraft 403. Instill another illustrative example, weather bands selected 452 may besent in a specific data format preferred by operation center 405.

Selected weather bands 452 may be sent to any and/or all of groundstation 456, aircraft 458, or additional external recipient 460.Additional external recipient 460 may be, without limitation, an airnavigation service provider or other qualified subscriber, for example.In one illustrative example, selected weather bands 452 may be formattedfor transmission to aircraft 458, and sent as weather uplink to aircraft462. In another illustrative example, selected weather bands 452 may beformatted for transmission to ground station 456, and sent as weathermessage to ground 464.

The illustration of dynamic weather band selection system 400 in FIG. 4is not meant to imply physical or architectural limitations to themanner in which different advantageous embodiments may be implemented.Other components in addition to and/or in place of the ones illustratedmay be used. Some components may be unnecessary in some advantageousembodiments. Also, the blocks are presented to illustrate somefunctional components. One or more of these blocks may be combinedand/or divided into different blocks when implemented in differentadvantageous embodiments.

For example, in one advantageous embodiment, a manual request may beinitiated from any qualified subscriber of the weather band selectionsystem. In another advantageous embodiment, manual and automatictriggers can be used to reinitialize the process given a new set ofconditions. An example of this may be flight plan modifications. In thisexample, one weather solution may have been computed according to theinitial flight path of an aircraft, but the aircrew or a subscriberdesires to view the solution using a different flight path beforeexecuting that maneuver. A request may be sent with the new proposedflight plan and a new solution may be generated, in this illustrativeexample.

With reference now to FIG. 5, an illustration of a flight path isdepicted in accordance with an advantageous embodiment. Flight plan 500may be an illustrative example of one implementation of a flight pathsent over request 408 in FIG. 4.

Flight path 500 may include trajectory 502. Aircraft 504 may travelalong trajectory 502 earlier in time than aircraft 506. During the timethat aircraft 504 follows trajectory 502 of flight path 500, aircraft504 may experience various weather factors at different points alongtrajectory 502, such as point 508, point 510, point 512, and point 514.Aircraft 504 and aircraft 506 may directly relay weather information ateach of points 508, 510, 512, and 514 to an operation center and/oraircraft weather database, such as operation center 405 or aircraftweather information 412 in FIG. 4, for example. Weather information mayinclude, for example, without limitation, temperature, atmosphericpressure, turbulence, wind speed, wind direction, the altitude at whichthe weather is detected, the phase of flight during which the weather isdetected, and/or any other suitable information.

When aircraft 506 follows trajectory 502 along flight path 500 at alater time than aircraft 504, aircraft 506 may receive the benefit ofthe weather information detected by aircraft 504 as well as the currentweather detected by aircraft 506. The current weather detected byaircraft 506 may also be used to update the dated weather in the onboardcomputer of aircraft 506. The dated weather may be, for example, theweather detected earlier in time by aircraft 504, and/or weatherinformation uploaded preflight into the onboard computer of aircraft506. In an illustrative example, aircraft 506 may request weather bandselections from a system, such as dynamic weather band selection system400 in FIG. 4. The system can access the most recently acquired weatherinformation for trajectory 502 to determine the weather information thatis pertinent to aircraft 506. The information obtained by aircraft 504along trajectory 502 may be used to anticipate the weather aircraft 506will encounter on points 508, 510, 512, and 514 of trajectory 502 forflight path 500. Additionally, current weather detected by aircraft 506along trajectory 502 may also be used to update onboard weatherinformation and anticipate the weather aircraft 506 will encounter onupcoming points 508 and 510 along trajectory 502.

With reference now to FIG. 6, an illustration of a weather band isdepicted in accordance with an advantageous embodiment. Number ofweather bands 600 may be an example of weather bands selected 452 inFIG. 4.

Number of weather bands 600 may include weather band 602. Weather band602 includes information such as, without limitation, altitude 604 andother information 606. Other information may include, withoutlimitation, temperature, atmospheric pressure, anti-ice levels, windspeed, wind direction, and/or any other suitable information specific toaltitude 604.

The illustration of number of weather bands 600 in FIG. 6 is not meantto imply physical or architectural limitations to the manner in whichdifferent advantageous embodiments may be implemented. Other componentsin addition to and/or in place of the ones illustrated may be used. Somecomponents may be unnecessary in some advantageous embodiments. Also,the blocks are presented to illustrate some functional components. Oneor more of these blocks may be combined and/or divided into differentblocks when implemented in different advantageous embodiments.

For example, in some advantageous embodiments, number of weather bands600 may include one or more weather bands in addition to weather band602. In this example, each weather band may include weather informationspecific to the altitude of that weather band, just as other information606 is specific to altitude 604 for weather band 602. As used herein,number refers to one or more weather bands.

With reference now to FIG. 7, an illustration of a weather bandselection is depicted in accordance with an advantageous embodiment.Weather band selection 700 may be an illustrative example of oneimplementation of weather uplink to aircraft 462 from dynamic weatherband selection system 400 in FIG. 4.

Weather band selection 700 is associated with trajectory 701. Trajectory701 may have a number of associated waypoints for which weatherinformation may be dynamically selected. Weather band selection 700 mayhave a number of associated weather bands, for example, weather band 702and weather band 704. Weather band 702 may include weather informationspecific to waypoint 706. Weather band 704 may include weatherinformation specific to waypoint 708. The weather information specificto waypoint 706 may include, for example, without limitation, altitude710, temperature 712, wind direction 714, wind speed 716, and/or anyother weather information for waypoint 706. The weather informationspecific to waypoint 708 may include, for example, without limitation,altitude 718, temperature 720, wind direction 722, wind speed 724,and/or any other weather information for waypoint 708.

Altitudes 710 and 718 may indicate, for example, without limitation, thespecific altitude for each of the other weather information itemsprovided for waypoints 706 and 708. For example, waypoint 706 may be atan altitude of 15,000 feet, while waypoint 708 may be at an altitude of10,000 feet. Weather band selection 700 may be an illustrative exampleof a weather band selection for a cruise time phase of flight of aparticular flight plan. The weather information provided by weather bandselection 700 may be assessed along the known and intended trajectory701 for the flight plan to determine the impact of the weather ontrajectory 701, for example.

The illustration of weather band selection 700 in FIG. 7 is not meant toimply physical or architectural limitations to the manner in whichdifferent advantageous embodiments may be implemented. Other componentsin addition to and/or in place of the ones illustrated may be used. Somecomponents may be unnecessary in some advantageous embodiments. Also,the blocks are presented to illustrate some functional components. Oneor more of these blocks may be combined and/or divided into differentblocks when implemented in different advantageous embodiments.

For example, in some advantageous embodiments, if a flight phase for anaircraft is determined the weather band selection system 400 to beenroute cruise, both cruise winds, as illustrated by weather bandselection 700, and descent winds, as illustrated by weather bandselection 800, may be provided to the aircraft along trajectory 701. Inanother advantageous embodiment, if a flight phase of climb isdetermined for an aircraft, both climb winds and cruise winds may beprovided in a weather band selection.

With reference now to FIG. 8, an illustration of a weather bandselection is depicted in accordance with an advantageous embodiment.Weather band selection 800 may be an illustrative example of oneimplementation of weather uplink to aircraft 462 from dynamic weatherband selection system 400 in FIG. 4.

Weather band selection 800 depicts a weather band selection fortrajectory 801. Weather band 802, 804, 806, and 808 may include a numberof descent altitude bands providing information specific to the numberof different altitude ranges that will be encountered during the descentof an aircraft along a trajectory for a specific flight plan, forexample. Weather band selection 800 may also include other information803. Other information 803 may be weather information that is specificto a phase of flight rather than an altitude, altitude range, waypointor specific weather band. Examples of other information 803 may include,without limitation, thermal anti-icing for engine bleeds, temperaturedeviations from standard atmospheric temperatures, barometric pressure,and/or any other suitable information related to a phase of flight.

Weather band 802 may include weather information specific to altitude810. The weather information for altitude 810 may include, withoutlimitation, temperature 812, wind direction 814, wind speed 816, and/orany other suitable weather information.

Weather band 804 may include weather information specific to altitude818. The weather information for altitude 818 may include, withoutlimitation, temperature 820, wind direction 822, wind speed 824, and/orany other suitable weather information.

Weather band 806 may include weather information specific to altitude826. The weather information for altitude 826 may include, withoutlimitation, temperature 828, wind direction 830, wind speed 832, and/orany other suitable weather information. Weather band 808 may includeweather information specific to altitude 834. The weather informationfor altitude 834 may include, without limitation, temperature 836, winddirection 838, wind speed 840, and/or any other suitable weatherinformation.

Each of altitude 810, altitude 818, altitude 826, and altitude 834 maybe, for example, without limitation, a discrete altitude or an altituderange. In one illustrative example of discrete altitudes, altitude 810may be 30,000 feet, altitude 818 may be 35,000 feet, altitude 826 may be37,500 feet, and altitude 834 may be 40,000 feet. In this example ofdiscrete altitudes, each of altitudes 810, 818, 826, and 834 may alsorepresent a boundary, or range, between discrete altitudes identified byeach of altitudes 810, 818, 826, and 834. In other words, a rangebetween altitude 810 and altitude 818 may be an altitude range of 30,000feet to 35,000 feet, in this example. If weather bands 818 and 826 werenot provided in weather band selection 800, a range between altitude 810and altitude 834 may be an altitude range of 30,000 feet to 40,000 feet,for example. In this advantageous embodiment, additional weather bandsmay provide for an increasingly broad range of overall altitudes for aweather band selection.

In another illustrative example of altitude ranges, altitude 810 mayrepresent 30,000-32,500 feet, altitude 818 may represent 32,500-35,000feet, altitude 826 may represent 35,000-37,500 feet, and altitude 834may represent 37,500-40,000 feet. In this example, weather informationassociated with altitude 810 may be information about weather occurringin the altitude range of 30,000-32,500 feet. Based on the weatherassociated with an altitude, or altitude range, an aircraft may changeits vertical profile to avoid certain types of weather. Changingvertical profile may include, for example, ascending or descending froma current cruise altitude.

The illustration of weather band selection 800 in FIG. 8 is not meant toimply physical or architectural limitations to the manner in whichdifferent advantageous embodiments may be implemented. Other componentsin addition to and/or in place of the ones illustrated may be used. Somecomponents may be unnecessary in some advantageous embodiments. Also,the blocks are presented to illustrate some functional components. Oneor more of these blocks may be combined and/or divided into differentblocks when implemented in different advantageous embodiments.

For example, in some advantageous embodiments, other information 803 maybe implemented in combination with weather band 802, weather band 804,weather band 806, and/or weather band 808.

With reference now to FIG. 9, an illustration of a process fordynamically selecting weather bands is depicted in accordance with anadvantageous embodiment. The process in FIG. 9 may be implemented by acomponent such as dynamic weather band selection system 400 in FIG. 4.The process in FIG. 9 may occur during flight of an aircraft and/orwhile an aircraft is on the ground.

The process begins by identifying a current and predicted flighttrajectory for a first aircraft (operation 902), such as trajectory 421in FIG. 4, for example. The process identifies weather information for anumber of locations along the current and predicted flight trajectory(operation 904). The weather information may be identified using anumber of weather sources such as, for example, without limitation,ground weather information 410, aircraft weather information 412, asecond aircraft on the current and predicted flight trajectory, and/orany other suitable weather source. The process identifies a currentphase of flight for the first aircraft (operation 906). The currentphase of flight may include, for example, without limitation, on-ground,climbing, cruising, descending, and landing. The process then selects anumber of weather bands for the first aircraft based on the current andpredicted flight trajectory, the weather information, and the currentphase of flight (operation 908). The process calculates flighttrajectory data for the current and predicted flight trajectory based onthe number of weather bands selected (operation 910). The process thengenerates a weather band selection based on the flight trajectory dataand the number of weather bands (operation 912), and returns tooperation 902.

The process depicted in FIG. 9 may be a continual process of dynamicallyselecting weather bands in order to provide the most up-to-date weatherinformation for a flight plan and/or trajectory. In another advantageousembodiment, the process depicted in FIG. 9 may be initiated by arequest, such as request 408 or push 407 in FIG. 4, for example. Theweather band selection generated in FIG. 9 may be sent to a number ofrecipients, including, without limitation, an aircraft, an operationcenter, a ground system, an external recipient, and/or any othersuitable recipient.

With reference now to FIG. 10, an illustration of a process forgenerating a weather band selection is depicted in accordance with anadvantageous embodiment. The process in FIG. 10 may be implemented by acomponent such as dynamic weather band selection system 400 in FIG. 4.The process in FIG. 10 may occur during flight of an aircraft and/orwhile an aircraft is on the ground.

The process begins by receiving a request for a weather band selectionfor a flight plan (operation 1002). The flight plan may be receivedthrough a request, such as request 408 in FIG. 4, or through aninformation push, such as push 407 in FIG. 4. The process identifiesweather information for the flight plan (operation 1004). The processthen identifies a weather forecast for the flight plan (operation 1006).The process receives current weather observation information for theflight plan (operation 1008). The process then identifies an aircrafttype and aircraft state data for an aircraft associated with the flightplan (operation 1010). Aircraft state data may include, for example,without limitation, climbing, cruising, and descending. The processselects a number of weather bands for the flight plan based on theweather information, aircraft type, and aircraft state data to form aweather band selection (operation 1012). The number of weather bands mayinclude weather information, such as, without limitation, altitude,temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind speed, wind direction,anti-thermal icing, and turbulence, for example. Next, the processoutputs the weather band selection (operation 1014) with the processterminating thereafter. The weather band selection may be outputted to anumber of recipients, including, without limitation, an aircraft, anoperation center, a ground system, an external recipient, and/or anyother suitable recipient.

The illustration of the process for providing a weather selection inFIG. 10 is not meant to imply physical or architectural limitations tothe manner in which different advantageous embodiments may beimplemented. Other steps in addition to and/or in place of the onesillustrated may be used. Some steps may be unnecessary in someadvantageous embodiments. Also, the different operations are presentedto illustrate one example of a functional process. One or more of theseoperations may be combined and/or divided into different operations whenimplemented in different advantageous embodiments. Additionally, one ormore of these operations may be performed in a different order thandepicted in different advantageous embodiments.

With reference now to FIG. 11, an illustration of a process forselecting weather bands is depicted in accordance with an advantageousembodiment. The process in FIG. 11 may be implemented by a componentsuch as dynamic weather band selection system 400 in FIG. 4. The processin FIG. 11 may occur during flight of an aircraft and/or while anaircraft is on the ground.

The process begins by receiving a flight plan (operation 1102). Theprocess calculates an initial predicted trajectory having a number ofwaypoints for the flight plan (operation 1104). The number of waypointsmay be, for example, waypoint 706 and waypoint 708 of FIG. 7. Theprocess then identifies current and forecasted weather informationassociated with the number of waypoints (operation 1106). The processidentifies aircraft state data and aircraft observed weather informationfor an aircraft currently on the flight plan (operation 1108). Next, theprocess recalculates the initial predicted trajectory using the currentand forecasted weather information and the aircraft observed weatherinformation to form an updated trajectory (operation 1110). The processidentifies weather information for the updated trajectory (operation1112). The process then selects a number of weather bands for theupdated trajectory to form a weather band selection (operation 1114),with the process terminating thereafter.

The flowcharts and block diagrams in the different depicted embodimentsillustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of somepossible implementations of apparatus and methods in differentadvantageous embodiments. In this regard, each block in the flowchart orblock diagrams may represent a module, segment, function, and/or aportion of an operation or step. In some alternative implementations,the function or functions noted in the block may occur out of the ordernoted in the figures. For example, in some cases, two blocks shown insuccession may be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. Also, other blocks may be added in addition tothe illustrated blocks in a flowchart or block diagram.

Thus, the different advantageous embodiments provide a system comprisinga weather band selection process and a processor unit. The processorunit is configured to run the weather band selection process. Theweather band selection process identifies a flight plan associated withan aircraft, identifies weather information for the flight plan, andidentifies a weather band selection for the aircraft using the flightplan and the weather information.

The different advantageous embodiments provide a system that selectspertinent and relevant weather bands for a specific flight plan ortrajectory. The weather band selection is therefore more accurate andup-to-date than preflight selections or default selections. Thisincreases the efficiency of flight operations and the accuracy of flighttrajectory calculations and calculation predictions when a flight planis modified. More efficient flight operations result in a decrease offuel consumption and environmental emissions.

The different advantageous embodiments can take the form of an entirelyhardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or an embodimentcontaining both hardware and software elements. Some embodiments areimplemented in software, which includes but is not limited to forms,such as, for example, firmware, resident software, and microcode.

Furthermore, the different embodiments can take the form of a computerprogram product accessible from a computer-usable or computer-readablemedium providing program code for use by or in connection with acomputer or any device or system that executes instructions. For thepurposes of this disclosure, a computer-usable or computer readablemedium can generally be any tangible apparatus that can contain, store,communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or inconnection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

The computer usable or computer readable medium can be, for example,without limitation an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,infrared, or semiconductor system, or a propagation medium. Non limitingexamples of a computer-readable medium include a semiconductor or solidstate memory, magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, a randomaccess memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magnetic disk,and an optical disk. Optical disks may include compact disk-read onlymemory (CD-ROM), compact disk-read/write (CD-R/W) and DVD.

Further, a computer-usable or computer-readable medium may contain orstore a computer readable or usable program code such that when thecomputer readable or usable program code is executed on a computer, theexecution of this computer readable or usable program code causes thecomputer to transmit another computer readable or usable program codeover a communications link. This communications link may use a mediumthat is, for example without limitation, physical or wireless.

A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executing computerreadable or computer usable program code will include one or moreprocessors coupled directly or indirectly to memory elements through acommunications fabric, such as a system bus. The memory elements mayinclude local memory employed during actual execution of the programcode, bulk storage, and cache memories which provide temporary storageof at least some computer readable or computer usable program code toreduce the number of times code may be retrieved from bulk storageduring execution of the code.

Input/output or I/O devices can be coupled to the system either directlyor through intervening I/O controllers. These devices may include, forexample, without limitation to keyboards, touch screen displays, andpointing devices. Different communications adapters may also be coupledto the system to enable the data processing system to become coupled toother data processing systems or remote printers or storage devicesthrough intervening private or public networks. Non-limiting examplesare modems and network adapters are just a few of the currentlyavailable types of communications adapters.

The description of the different advantageous embodiments has beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description, and is notintended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments in the formdisclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art. Further, different advantageousembodiments may provide different advantages as compared to otheradvantageous embodiments. The embodiment or embodiments selected arechosen and described in order to best explain the principles of theembodiments, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinaryskill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodimentswith various modifications as are suited to the particular usecontemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for selecting weather bands, the methodcomprising: identifying a waypoint for a first aircraft; identifyingweather information for the waypoint; and selecting a plurality ofweather bands for the waypoint based on the waypoint and the weatherinformation, wherein each of the plurality of weather bands comprisesweather information for a different altitude at the waypoint.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: sending the plurality of weatherbands to at least one of an aircraft and an operation center.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the identifying and selecting steps areperformed responsive to a request.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein theidentifying and selecting steps are performed autonomously andcontinually.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the weather informationis obtained from a second aircraft.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinthe weather information is obtained from a number of weather sources. 7.The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of weather bands compriseat least one of temperature, wind speed, wind direction, pressure, andanti-thermal icing information for a plurality of altitudes at thewaypoint.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of weatherbands are selected based on a phase of flight for the first aircraft atthe waypoint, wherein the phase of flight is at least one of on-ground,climbing, cruising, descending, and landing.
 9. An apparatus,comprising: a dynamic weather band processor configured to identify awaypoint for a first aircraft, identify weather information for thewaypoint, and select a plurality of weather bands for the waypoint basedon the waypoint and the weather information, wherein each of theplurality of weather bands comprises weather information for a differentaltitude at the waypoint.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein thedynamic weather band processor is configured to send the plurality ofweather bands to at least one of an aircraft and an operation center.11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the dynamic weather band processoris configured to select the plurality of weather bands responsive to arequest.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the dynamic weather bandprocessor is configured to select the plurality of weather bandsautonomously and continually.
 13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein thedynamic weather band processor is configured to obtain the weatherinformation from a second aircraft.
 14. The apparatus of claim 9,wherein the dynamic weather band processor is configured to obtain theweather information from a number of weather sources.
 15. The apparatusof claim 9, wherein the plurality of weather bands comprise at least oneof temperature, wind speed, wind direction, pressure, and anti-thermalicing information for a plurality of altitudes at the waypoint.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the dynamic weather band processor isconfigured to select the plurality of weather bands based on a phase offlight for the first aircraft at the waypoint, wherein the phase offlight is at least one of on-ground, climbing, cruising, descending, andlanding.
 17. A method for selecting weather bands, the methodcomprising: identifying a flight trajectory for an aircraft; identifyingweather information for a number of locations along the flighttrajectory; selecting a plurality of weather bands for the flighttrajectory based on the flight trajectory and the weather information,wherein the plurality of weather bands comprise weather information fora plurality of altitudes; and ranking the plurality of weather bands inorder of importance to the trajectory.
 18. The method of claim 17further comprising: sending the plurality of weather bands to at leastone of the aircraft and an operation center.
 19. The method of claim 17,wherein the steps of identifying the weather information and selectingthe plurality of weather bands are performed automatically in responseto changing a flight plan for the aircraft.
 20. The method of claim 17,wherein: the plurality of weather bands comprise weather information fora plurality of altitudes at a waypoint of the flight trajectory.
 21. Asystem comprising: a weather band selection process; and a processorunit configured to run the weather band selection process, wherein theweather band selection process identifies a flight trajectory associatedwith an aircraft, identifies weather information for the flighttrajectory, and identifies a weather band selection for the aircraftusing the flight trajectory and the weather information, wherein theweather band selection includes a number of weather bands, and whereinthe number of weather bands comprises wind speed, wind direction, and atleast one of temperature, pressure, and anti-thermal icing information.